Displaying items by tag: Motorbike Tour Thailand

We began these in 2004 and all are now ‘old friends’. Recommended especially for those who have little / no experience in Thailand - or even if been here a few times but is your first time with us and unsure which to choose? Suggested dates are posted on our calendar but as always if you’re the first to book three places and remit deposit, the choice of tour is yours. Additionally we’re so practiced with these that if you’ll allow us to get to know you through email & conversation it’ll be our pleasure to tailor your tour for you. Personal touches on a daily basis; we firmly believe it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

We’re pleased to announce the addition of seven new Local Festival & Special Interest tours spread across the season: Primarily for the many guests returning regularly and having exhausted our seven standard tours - needless to say as always all riders will be made very welcome indeed, we only hope to see you again too! Our regulars rightly expect so much more than a biking tour; knowing we’re the only true Thailand Specialists able to fully immerse you in this wonderful culture without being overwhelmed by it. Our experience is unmatched: We also go the extra mile, not because it’s requested or required – but because we enjoy surpassing expectations and seeing our guests truly happy on holiday.

How Long Are Your Tours?

Please Check our Tour Dates but most are based on 8days-7nights; starting & finishing on Saturday, or multiples thereofAs Follows:Saturday: Arrival Day and Welcome DinnerSunday "Day Ride", acclimatisation & getting used to bikes & riding styles,Monday - Friday: out on one of the Loops,Saturday: Departure Day, or if you're with us for longer, a leisurely day pleasing yourself Obviously Bespoke tours (for parties of five (riders) or more can be of any duration.

What are the Insurance Requirements/Availability?

Your valid International Driving Permit (IDP) & valid full motorcycle license – are all that is required by law for our freely provided Third Party insurance. You're expected to provide your own holiday insurance (personal accident cover) for the make/model/cc machines provided.Please check your holiday insurance fine-print, you'll usually find IDP a requirement, and often age/cc restrictions for riding in SE Asia. For those of you from Australia/New Zealand, OnePath comes highly recommended, with a policy that insures you for anything your license covers at home. Finally, our own entirely optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) available at just 2,500b/bike/week provides indemnity for any possible shortfall in the previous two and covers any damage to our bikes - over & above normal wear & tear. The policy 'excess' means the first 25,000b (covered by your Bike Deposit) of any individual claim is payable by the Rider, the policy paying all over that, right up to replacement. E.g. for a 100,000b repair bill; Rider pays 25,000b and no more.

How far do we ride per day?

With masses to see and do in Northern Thailand that doesn't only involve riding along some of the world's most scenic roads (lthough that IS certainly a great reason for booking your trip!), we usually ride about 150 to 200 kilometres daily. We leave our hotel around 7:30-8:30 a.m. after a buffet breakfast. Stops for attractions, photos, activities such as feeding the elephants or visiting a mountain-top village or temple are scheduled before and after lunch depending on the group's preference. We break to stretch our legs and have either a coffee or cool drink about every hour or so. Our goal is enjoy the ride and take in as much of the local Thai culture as possible. It's a once-in-a-lifetime trip – we don't want you to miss anything!

Is the ER6n/Versys big enough?

Yes. Absolutely. We do have bigger bikes available for a varying fees, but in all honesty they're less well suited to the terrain, especially on the likes of The Mae Hong Son Loop, where there are over 4,000 bends. I used to lug my 1000cc FZ1R around there, it's hard work (on average a bend every 100metres) and you're on holiday! Less is more, believe me. Of course, riders with pillions will be glad to have a little extra 'leg' on the Versys (saddles more 'lady' friendly, for your better half!) we offer as a free upgrade to two-up guests. Oodles of low-end grunt from the in-line twin engine pulling from as little as 2,000 Rpm, all the way up to 11,000 redline, 12,000Rpm rev-limiter, and 210Km/h. Fast enough, light, agile, manageable & most importantly - no quirks or foibles taking up the first half of your holiday getting used to them.

Do I need a special visa for Thailand?

No - not if you don't intend to stay longer than 30 days. You will complete the form for your 30 day Visa on the flight over and immigration will simply stamp your 30 day Visa into your passport on arrival. If you wish to stay longer you can either obtain a Visa in your home country or just hop over the border (as we do on The Golden Triangle Tour) and automatically get another 30 days on the way back in.

Do you book flights to and from Thailand?

That's the one thing we don't take care of. We'd rather concentrate on fabulous roads, great food, exciting attractions, and breathtaking scenery. For flight information, we recommend visiting: TrailFinders, Expedia, Orbitz, SaveFlights to mention but a few...

Should we fly up from Bkk?

Yes. There's a bus crash almost every month (literally) on the news, completely unregulated & well...two things I'll NEVER do in this country a) jump on a ride at a local funfair b) jump on a bus! The train's freezing cold, costs almost as much as the 90-minute flight, takes 11hrs and although you're in a VIP (dormitory!) bunk you'll never manage to sleep, being thrown around by the uneven track. Oh, and there's only ONE line...so on the day train you'll be stopping every hour or so outside stations to allow oncoming trains past. Neither will we be able to collect you from the bus / train stations either as I'm sorry but we're less than 10 minutes from the airport but an hour or more away from the latter & simply don't have the freedom to be caught in a traffic jam with others to collect on the same day.

How much cash will I need?

Not much! The cost of living in Thailand is fairly low. Most spend between 2,000-5,000b per person per week on their sundries bill with us. The difference is whether you choose to drink a) water/soft drinks, b)beer or c) wine/spirits after we stop riding for the day? Click here for today's exchange rate for your local currency

We recommend bringing Your Home Currency (£, $, etc) & visiting a Beureax De Change at CNX airport on arrival for the best cash exchange rates. Your use of an ATM (Service-till/Credit card while you're travelling with us will mean you pay a comparatively expensive exchange rate plus most ATMs here charge a nominal fee (usually 150b) and allow you to withdraw up to 20,000 baht daily. We're not so far from civilization that we don't pass by ATMs every single day **Make SURE to notify your card issuer that; YOU WILL BE TRAVELLING TO THAILAND before you leave OR THEY WILL BLOCK SERVICE.**

Most of our returning guests obtain the best possible exchange rate by adding their spending money to the final balance payment with us. Feel free to ask them at: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiMcTours

Travellers Cheques are certainly recommended for any 'Emergency Funds' you might require. Needless to say we don't arrange credit! Many credit card issuers allow you to get cash advances from countless banks branches and ATMs around the globe – and there are plenty in Thailand. Please check with your card issuer before you arrive to verify any service fees or charges and to make sure you know the PIN number associated with each credit card should you need it. We recommend bringing your 25,000 baht "Bike Deposit" fund this way, easily cashed for a nominal fee once you return home, again, check your bank's small-print especially if they claim NO fee, there's always a charge whatever they name it!

What if I want to break out on my own for a day or so?

Every day, we will offer advice on the best things to see and do, but you're under no pressure to follow the (small) crowd. You can strike out on your own at any time and simply meet back up with us when you're ready. We obviously have preferred routes – but anyway you choose to arrive at the booked hotel is up to you. As mentioned in Terms & Conditions the CDW only covers you for group riding and putting the bike through normal, lawful conditions - within manufacturer's recommended guidelines.

What should we bring with us?

You will be expected to bring your own helmets (open-faced/sunglasses are OK but a drop down visor is recommended) and ventilated summer riding gear/body mesh/armour. Leathers are inadvisable, even the perforated variety, you'll regret it! You may want a wind/waterproof layer under your armour for the cooler mornings in the mountains.

We have a service vehicle for luggage, so there's really no limit to the amount you may bring apart from that set by the airline. We certainly notice the difference between returning guests and those here for the first time; those returning bring less than half the amount of their first visit. So, don't over pack: You want room in your suitcase for the bargains you'll find here!

The above applies to (not prescription) medication too. Anything you might think of bringing "Just in case..." is available here (yes, they even have 'Boots The Chemist stores, Watsons too'), and at half (or less!) the price. Plus the formulae are beefed up for this tropical climate where quite frankly; your creams, salves & sprays from home will struggle.

Is a CB 500 big enough? Don't you have anything BIGGER?We do have bigger bikes available at a nominal fee, but most people find them very tiring, especially on the Mae Hong Son Loop, where there is over a thousand hairpin bends, over 4,000 bends altogether! Lugging a 1000 CC monster around there is hard work, we advise you leave the work at home, you're on holiday, less is more! For Rider & Pillion Combinations obviously upgraded to Kawasaki Versys 650 for free

What should we bring with us?You will be expected to bring your own helmets and body armour. We are able to supply helmets if you wish, but we cannot guarantee their safety/fit. Bring your leathers if you like but they can be incredibly uncomfortable and cumbersome in this heat. You can buy a good armoured jacket here for about £80 if you wish. We have a backup vehicle for luggage and also carry as spare bike in case of breakdowns, so there's no limit to the amount of luggage you may bring apart from that set by the airline! However we recommend you bring a minimum because you're sure to want to take a shed load home with you, most things here cost half the amount you'd expect to pay for them in the West (unless you require actual, brand name Western goods) so don't buy a pair of shorts to bring over, you can pick up a pair for about £2, or even a pair of original Levi's jeans for about £20, copies go for about half that! The same goes for medicines etc, there's a Boots chemist in most towns and they stock nearly everything you can find at home, plus a few more interesting Thai remedies that are actually far superior to their Western counterparts given the local conditions.

What's the weather like?Between June and September it rains, and rains, and then rains some more which is the primary reason for us not to book week-long Tours in advance for this period. The cool season is between November and February where it averages between 18 and 25oC during the day. Night times can get somewhat cooler down to about 10oC. A spot of rain occasionally, but this is very rare. February through to May it warms up gradually until in May you can guarantee 35o C. and above during the day and not much cooler at night, which is why all our hotel/resort accommodation is air-conditioned. October is usually clear but we can't guarantee you won't have a few showers, warm enough on a bike though, you get wet and then blow-dry!

Do you have set departure dates?Yes, but if there is a large enough group of you we're sure we can arrange something to suit your needs.

How far do we ride per day?We usually cover 150 to 350 kilometres of very good, smooth tarmac daily. There is a lot to see on the way and if you want to step take photographs you can do so at any time. Far from onerous, if you fall behind our service vehicle will stay with you until you catch up with us, probably taking photos around the next bend! Very easy riding here, on the left the same as at home in the U.K / Australia

Do I need a visa for Thailand?Not if you don't intend to stay longer than 30 days. You will complete the form for your 30 day Visa on the flight over and immigration will simply stamp your 30 day Visa into your passport on arrival. If you wish to stay longer you can either obtain a Visa in your home country or just hop over the border and automatically get another 30 days on the way back in..

How much cash will I need?Very little, the cost of living is very low here, only luxury items bump up the expense! Bringing £100 per person per week will MORE than suffice as we can get you a far better rate here than your bank at home will give you. You can use your Servicetill/Credit card(if you have the facility) in any ATM here for a nominal charge (usually £1.50) and draw up to 20,000baht (about £300.00) daily, Please be aware when using ATM/Servicetills you’ll pay the more expensive rate charged by your bank at home, NOT the preferential Thai rates traveller’s cheques in your home currency DO qualify for the better Thai rates though.

We have a few simple rules for your safety and convenience;Follow our lead, not only on the road but also in the way we greet and treat people, this is an entirely different culture, and just because they don't show offence and continue to smile doesn't mean that you haven't hurt them and spoiled our (and all other foreigner’s) reputation, and as your mother used to say "manners cost nothing"!We've read this one in a TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) office in Bangkok and were quite taken with it; If you want everything just like home, stay home!". If you don't enjoy new experiences in a quite different environment then you're much better off staying in the West where you know and understand all the rules and laws. This is the simple fact, we're not being cynical. This is South-East Asia, and things are different! That being said, learning all about this new culture is absolutely fascinating, we’ve been here for many years working and living amongst these wonderful, gentle people, their hospitality never ceases to amaze us and we certainly wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else in the world. We welcome the opportunity to show you around “Amazing Thailand”, there’s so much more to this country when you’ve a guide or two to take you off the beaten track and show you what it’s really about!

Well, what else could you possibly want to know: Where are we going? Everywhere! What are we doing? EVERYTHING! Experienced riders only!!

"Oo-oo, can I be a pussy and join / leave your group halfway through...?" NO!!

If you're able to hack three weeks of total, full on, sensory overload both on & off the road, put your responsible self away for the best part of a month and postpone sleep for the sakes of fun...almost indefinitely, you're in. If not, don't even ask, honestly, we'll laugh. Lots. Shandy-pants' & Big Girls' Blouses need NOT apply!!

We LOVE being able to display this gorgeous land and her wonderful inhabitants to one & all. We take our responsibility as mini-ambassadors (in a manner of speaking) very seriously, likewise our hearts will always belong to this amazing land.

However: All work & no play, dull, Jack & Jill, etc.., THIS tour is the one we keep back for ourselves. Never watered down, NO punches pulled, Gauntlet's down, reckon you have it in you...?

Plenty of ladies have managed it. Quite a few "tough" guys, didn't. You know who you are!